Recalling when downtown Fitchburg had a bookshop

Before Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the Internet, there was The Bookshop.

I recently read the obituary for Anna Krysil Wilson in the Sentinel & Enterprise. The required information was provided along with an attractive photo of Anna, but there is more.

The Bookshop added a unique quality to Fitchburg's Main Street shopping. In addition to selling books, it was a gathering place for book lovers, providing a lending library of the latest books published, a children's book section, and greeting cards and choice gifts.

Alex Krysil developed the music area, selling records, first at street level, later remodeling the lower level with soundproof booths for listening to records. This attracted many high-school students as an after-school activity.

Not mentioned in the obituary was the name of Alex and Anna's younger brother, Nicholas.

Nick designed the window displays, always attractive. At Christmas time, people started talking about what Nick would do this year.

His work added great interest to the Main Street Christmas scene.

During the many years that the Stratton Playhouse presented three or four plays a year, The Bookshop graciously served as a convenient outlet for ticket sales, contributing to the cultural local life.

The Krysil/Wilson families added a colorful and friendly special touch to Main Street shopping, especially during old-fashioned bargain days, when the next generation of cousins helped with the sidewalk sales.

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